Japanese Oyster Ice Cream: From the Dessert X-Files

The world is filled with some mighty strange aphrodisiacs (just click and read if you don't believe me). The world is also filled with some mighty strange ice cream, especially if you get off the plane in Japan (check out the Octopus, Deep Sea Water, and Eel flavors if you're still unconvinced). But what happens when you put these two seemingly unrelated facts together? Ah, I'm so glad you asked. What happens, my taste testing friends, is that you get a giant container of Japanese Oyster Ice Cream.

Now I must confess, I used to find the whole oyster-as-aphrodisiac notion a bit puzzling. Sure, these little shellfish can magically conjure up enough pearls to keep even Ivana Trump happy, and when served properly in food havens like New Orleans or Boston they taste quite wonderful. But let's face it, oysters aren't exactly the prettiest or most pleasantly scented creatures in the animal bunch. And if sex really is about all five of the senses instead of just one, then a single sight-and-smell encounter with an oyster should theoretically be enough to squash all hope of a bedroom romp for the evening.

However, these clever shellfish do have a hidden card up their ocean sleeve. That card is the mineral zinc. Oysters contain tons of the stuff. And zinc, among other handy things, is responsible for helping the body to maintain healthy amounts of the hormone known as progesterone. While progesterone, in turn, plays a large part in the body's ability to experience intense and lasting sexual desire. So despite the look and smell, the oyster path really does lead straight from the dinner table to the nearest available mattress after all.

That said, Oyster Ice Cream suddenly starts to sound a lot more appetizing, doesn't it? You bet it does. Heck, if you can inspire great sex just by eating dessert, then bring it on. Which explains why I couldn't open my wallet fast enough to buy this concoction in a tiny Japanese grocery store. No bag. No receipt. Keep the change. It was back to the hotel with potential frozen love and my cute guy in tow--and pronto.